Expats’ Guide to Three Kings day celebration in the Philippines

It’s nearly 2017, Christmas day is over; so what now? For many Catholics, the holiday season doesn’t officially end until the 12th day of Christmas known as the “Feast of the Epiphany” or “Three Kings’ Day”.

The Feast of the Three Kings, also called “Feast of the Epiphany”, is observed among the Filipino Catholic community every 6th of January. It is a time of feasting, visiting, and gift-giving. This festivity is being celebrated in different ways across the globe; in the Philippines, homilies in Masses would be dedicated to the celebration of the Three Kings.

There is also the tradition of three men dressed as the Three Kings, each wearing royal robes and riding a horse instead of camel, parading around the streets of several towns in the Philippines. Along the way, they will distribute gifts to children who line the streets. Mass follows, after which parents, children, siblings, relatives, grandchildren, god-parents and friends exchange gifts. The celebration typically lasts for the whole day. This practice usually happens in provinces like Bulacan, Laguna and also in Manila.

Though the Philippines is known to be the country that celebrates the longest Christmas season, the feast of Three Kings signifies its end before the start of school days for students after a long Christmas vacation.